TRANMERE Rovers commenced pre-season training yesterday with the futures of several players still in the balance.

TRANMERE Rovers commenced pre-season training yesterday with the futures of several players still in the balance.

In spite of much summer speculation, Tranmere have received no offers for players under contract for the new season.

Chairman Lorraine Rogers and new manager Dave Watson have held discussions with players linked with moves to other clubs, such as Jason Koumas, Clint Hill and Andy Parkinson but little progress has been made because of interruptions caused by holidays.

Ideally, Watson says he wants to keep as many as possible of the players he inherited from predecessor John Aldridge for Tranmere's attempt to bounce back from relegation to the second division at the first attempt.

Watson said last night: "The more quality players we keep at the club, the better chance we will have of being successful next season."

Rogers said the club would be taking a firm line. She said: "It is very sad and disappointing when players who were involved in taking the club into the second division are saying they don't want to be involved in the second division.

"The feedback we have had from our meetings with season ticket holders is that most supporters feel that if players don't want to be part of the fightback then we don't want them anyway."

Midfielder Koumas has been linked with moves to several big clubs since the second half of last season.

Fulham were the first to show an interest but a move to a suitor closer to home, such as Blackburn, Manchester City or Everton, might well be seen as preferable by the talented 21-year-old from Wallasey.

Norwich City may offer striker Parkinson the opportunity to remain in the first division, while Hill's development as a defensive strong man has won many admirers.

Tranmere have said goodbye to striker Scott Taylor whose contract expired this summer. Veteran striker Paul Rideout and defender Graham Allen renewed contracts, for one and two years respectively.

Midfielder Nick Henry, who is also out of contract, will be discussing his future with the club once he recovers from a leg injury. But, as a free agent, he is also at liberty to talk to other clubs.

Tranmere expect to make an announcement relating to the coaching staff later this week.

The long-serving Ray Mathias has already been confirmed as a member of Watson's backroom team, but the future of Kevin Sheedy, assistant to previous manager John Aldridge, remains uncertain.